New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul said he is trying to move toward not having to wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee.

Eliot Kamenitz/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul said Tuesday he'd like to play without his 'somewhat limiting' brace on his surgically repaired left knee.

With the brace, Paul said he doesn’t have the range of motion he desires. In some recent games before the All-Star break, Paul did not appear to have the quick burst to beat defenders to the lane.

He’s worn a brace since the start of the regular season, but did not play with it on during Sunday’s All-Star Game in Los Angeles or during road games last week against Golden State and Portland.

“I’m still practicing in it, but hopefully as much as possible I want to play without that brace,’’ Paul said after Tuesday’s practice. "Anything other than what you have on your normal body is somewhat limiting, but it's also there for a reason.’’

The Hornets have 24 games remaining in the regular season and they play the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena.

Starting center Emeka Okafor is listed as questionable but participated in contact drills on Tuesday. Okafor missed the final nine games before the All-Star break with a strained oblique muscle.

He is averaging 11.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. Without him, the Hornets (33-25) have lost nine of the past 11 games to fall to sixth in the Western Conference playoff race.

“You have to make sure it’s good and strong before rushing out there,’’ Okafor said. “But as a competitor you always want to be on the floor.''